so where are we with respect to the stage 3 tune? Is it available yet, if not when, and what would be the price? Would it just be programmed to the "M" button or will it be on the regular driving setting.

so where are we with respect to the stage 3 tune? Is it available yet, if not when, and what would be the price? Would it just be programmed to the "M" button or will it be on the regular driving setting.

Our software looks electronically like the factory software that comes with the car and interacts with their computer systems in the same fashion.

mike,
is this feature unique to powerchip ? or are all big tunes like this.
I am asking because I understood that the dealer could never tell unless the limiter was changed or smthg, but AG could always tell if the ECU was shipped or if they checked algorithms and more in depth - in terms of a large warranty claim.

I know its a risk and the price to play, but I was just wondering if anything has changed since I first looked into doing this.

mike,
is this feature unique to powerchip ? or are all big tunes like this.
I am asking because I understood that the dealer could never tell unless the limiter was changed or smthg, but AG could always tell if the ECU was shipped or if they checked algorithms and more in depth - in terms of a large warranty claim.

I know its a risk and the price to play, but I was just wondering if anything has changed since I first looked into doing this.

I had this explained to me quickly a while back so the details may be wrong, but I believe that all ECU map files are digitally signed using similar signing/encryption techniques as digital certificates on web sites.

So in theory this should stop the ECU reading a map file that has been modified - however the BMW ECU only checks the digital signatures when the ECU maps are written to and either the ECU only does this if the maps are written in full, or there is a special flag you can set when programming the ECU that disables this checking (it may be a combination of both).

I think the BMW dealer tools probably only check signatures are valid and that the ECU has not detected any unknown programming changes to the ECU. The ECU only records "complete" programming changes - i.e. an entire software package or set of packages (like how the dealer does it) was written to the ECU, and does not record smaller incremental changes (like the one Powerchip does).

I certainly would believe it is possible for BMW to detect the change if they really wanted to, but it is a question of logistics, cost etc (e.g. do they have to send the ECU back to Germany)...

I must say the latest Powerchip tune combined with primary cat delete has turned the car into a monster - it is the fastest it has been - faster than previous Powerchip tune + Akrapovic exhaust.

Makes me wonder if removing the back pressure and flow restrictions caused by the primary cats fully unlocks the extra gains made by the VANOS remapping the Powerchip have applied in this latest tune...

I had this explained to me quickly a while back so the details may be wrong, but I believe that all ECU map files are digitally signed using similar signing/encryption techniques as digital certificates on web sites.

So in theory this should stop the ECU reading a map file that has been modified - however the BMW ECU only checks the digital signatures when the ECU maps are written to and either the ECU only does this if the maps are written in full, or there is a special flag you can set when programming the ECU that disables this checking (it may be a combination of both).

I think the BMW dealer tools probably only check signatures are valid and that the ECU has not detected any unknown programming changes to the ECU. The ECU only records "complete" programming changes - i.e. an entire software package or set of packages (like how the dealer does it) was written to the ECU, and does not record smaller incremental changes (like the one Powerchip does).

I certainly would believe it is possible for BMW to detect the change if they really wanted to, but it is a question of logistics, cost etc (e.g. do they have to send the ECU back to Germany)...

I believe the mechanism Powerchip uses is the same as every body else - or at least everyone that uses CMD Technologies who provide the tool that I used to flash my Powerchip tune...

thanks for all the info...
still seems like a very very slight gamble.
do you think it is kind of stupid to tune without a cat delete? cause i dont want the car any louder, even hfcs plus xpipe can kinda add sound and drone, i know some dont but still....all i have is pulleys, envy intake, catback.

thanks for all the info...
still seems like a very very slight gamble.
do you think it is kind of stupid to tune without a cat delete? cause i dont want the car any louder, even hfcs plus xpipe can kinda add sound and drone, i know some dont but still....all i have is pulleys, envy intake, catback.

It's worth it to tune any car - even in bone stock form. I remember talking with you awhile back. We have a flash kit available - let me know if you want me to send it up to you.

thanks for all the info...
still seems like a very very slight gamble.
do you think it is kind of stupid to tune without a cat delete? cause i dont want the car any louder, even hfcs plus xpipe can kinda add sound and drone, i know some dont but still....all i have is pulleys, envy intake, catback.

I was in the same boat - so I went with Turner Test Pipes, which just delete the primary cats but retain the rest of the factory OEM system. Basically sounds the same expect more aggressive under WOT.